Don’t hit the mute button. The top college football and NFL broadcast crews, ranked.

This is the time of the year when we helpless football fanatics bid goodbye to our significant others and immerse ourselves in all things gridiron greatness until we finally rejoin the outside world sometime in mid-February.

We watch football. A lot of football. Probably too much football. With that, we watch a lot of football broadcasters. Play-by-play specialists. Analysts. Some we like. Some we dislike. Some cause us to hit the mute button. Some actually add to the experience.

In my book, Sean McDonough always adds. So those watching Kentucky-South Carolina on ABC on Saturday get a treat. McDonough is doing the game along with analyst Greg McElroy and sideline reporter Molly McGrath. It’s a crew that ranks in my personal top five.

Who are the others, you ask? Knowing that your mileage may vary, here’s my top 10:

The top five broadcast crews

1. Joe Buck-Troy Aikman: Have to admit, I love ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” duo. Buck is subjected to a lot of misplaced grief, in my opinion. And Aikman is outstanding, especially when he slips in a wisecrack or can’t help but be annoyed by what he considers bad football.

2. Ian Eagle-Charles Davis: CBS’ No. 2 NFL crew is No. 1 in my book. Eagle is the consummate professional with a wry sense of humor. He never gets in the way of the broadcast. Davis is silky smooth, with a talent for pointing out nuances you might otherwise miss.

3. Sean McDonough-Greg McElroy: ESPN’s No. 2 college football crew is No. 1 in my book. No one is more prepared for a broadcast, in any sport, than McDonough. A former Alabama quarterback, McElroy is willing to throw a punch. I also recommend McElroy’s college football podcast.

4. Jim Nantz-Tony Romo: After earning rave reviews in his CBS NFL debut, Romo’s star has fallen and with good reason. He can slip into gibberish. Nantz is almost too good. Every time I’m the slightest bit annoyed by him, I think of all the other broadcasters on all the other networks that couldn’t hold his microphone.

5. Kevin Harlan-Trent Green: Harlan is almost a cult figure, with his distinctive style and all-gas/no-brakes enthusiasm. Green is a fits-like-a-glove partner on this CBS NFL crew, but it’s Harlan who makes the broadcast fun.

The next five best crews

6. Brad Nessler-Gary Danielson: I realize I am in the minority — I could be one of one — but I really like Danielson. He knows the game and can explain the game. In fact, he and Nessler are one reason I’m sorry CBS lost the rights to the Saturday 3:30 p.m. SEC game. Sue me.

7. Mike Tirico-Cris Collinsworth: I’ve never been quite as high on Tirico as some others, but I’m not as low on Collinsworth as some others, too. Mike and Chris don’t have the same chemistry as Al Michaels and Chris on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” but I still enjoy Collinsworth.

8. Chris Fowler-Kirk Herbstreit: I think Fowler was better as the ESPN “College GameDay” host than a play-by-play announcer and Herbstreit is stretched pretty thin, doing “College GameDay,” college football and Amazon Prime NFL with Michaels. And I think ESPN is trying to make Kirk’s travel companion, his dog Ben, a thing. Still, you know it’s a big game if Chris and Kirk are on the call.

9. Jason Benetti-Brock Huard: This is an underappreciated Fox crew. A former Washington quarterback, Huard is underrated as an analyst. Benetti is a rising star who can do any sport and knows how to keep things fun.

10. Tom Hart-Jordan Rodgers: We know the SEC Network’s main crew well. Hart has an understated style and does his homework. Rodgers has improved as an analyst. Sideline reporter Cole Cubelic digs the trenches. Cubelic’s Sunday SEC breakdowns on X are worth checking out.

Honorable mentions: I understand why Tom Brady is now Fox’s No. 1 NFL analyst — he’s Tom Brady! — but I thought Greg Olsen was terrific before he was bounced to No. 2 with Brady’s arrival. Ian Eagle’s son Noah and Todd Blackledge got off to a promising start doing Big Ten football last season. (Noah Eagle is only 27!) I’ve never quite bought into the Gus Johnson hype.

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